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Before you go
Your trip to Vail.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Vail – Colorado Destination Aspen and Vail about 156 km from Denver
How to get there
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Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) 58 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Eagle County Airport (EGE) is about 60 km away. Denver International (DEN) is about 195 km via Highway 70, with shuttle vans. Local buses connect Vail Village, Lionshead and the neighborhoods.
How many days
Five to seven days for skiing. In summer, two or three days for the trails, the botanical garden and gondola rides.
When to go
December to March for skiing; the Back Bowls usually have firmer snow in January and February. June to September for trails and mountain biking. At the turn of September to October, the slopes turn yellow with aspens.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No: the villages are pedestrian and city buses run fare-free. A car helps if you want to go to Breckenridge or Beaver Creek.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Vail
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Morning
Vail Mountain
Take Gondola One in Vail Village and ski the north-facing runs before heading to the Back Bowls.
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Afternoon
Vail Village
Walk the pedestrian streets of Vail Village and visit the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, which includes the history of the 10th Mountain Division.
2 days in Vail
Day 2
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Morning
Alpine gardens
In summer, visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Ford Park and follow the walking trail along the Gore Creek.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Vail from Denver?
By car or shuttle van via Highway 70, a drive of about two and a half hours without snow. Eagle County Airport, about 60 km away, also handles domestic flights.
What are Vail’s Back Bowls?
They are large open bowls on the mountain’s south face, with wide, treeless slopes for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Is Vail good for non-skiers?
In winter, the village offers gondola rides, ice skating, tubing and restaurants. In summer, there are trails, mountain biking and the alpine botanical garden.
What time zone is Vail in?
UTC−7 in standard time (Mountain Time) and UTC−6 from March to November, with daylight saving time.